Xbox could have a surprise announcement planned for Gamescom 2026. While Microsoft has already revealed several games that will be part of the event, including Gears of War: E-Day, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and more, a new report suggests the company may have another game announcement waiting for fans.

The rumor comes from industry insider NateTheHate, who claims he has heard about an Xbox announcement planned for Gamescom. When asked whether the announcement could be related to Microsoft’s disc-to-digital system, the insider clarified that it would instead be a game announcement.

Surprise announcement from Xbox during Gamescom

NateTheHate also described the announcement as something that has caught his attention and curiosity. More details have since emerged, with the insider reportedly claiming that the game is based on an IP owned by Xbox, but is being developed by a studio not part of Microsoft’s first-party development teams.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the rumor is the reported release window. The game supposedly could launch later this year, despite the project having remained largely under the radar until now.

Windows Central’s Jez Corden has also backed up the rumor. According to Corden, in his Patreon newsletter, there is a strong possibility that Xbox will announce one or more games at Gamescom, with an “unexpected sequel” among them. Fans have already suggested possibilities ranging from a new Ori game to sequels based on some of Xbox’s older franchises. However, there is currently no reliable information pointing toward a specific title.

“If what I’ve heard is true, there might be a pretty big surprise (probably very unexpected sequel) reveal.”

Jez Corden

Xbox’s Gamescom presentation is expected to take place on August 26 and August 27, giving fans only a short time to wait before finding out whether this rumored announcement actually happens.

For now, this remains an unconfirmed report. Xbox has not announced that it will reveal a new game at Gamescom, so the rumored project should be taken with some caution until Microsoft officially confirms it. If we were to speculate, maybe it’s an exclusive, especially since the company seems to be catering to more exclusivity, ahead of Project Helix.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.